Sycamore Rouge presents 'Jar the Floor'

Sunday

Feb 21, 2010 at 12:01 AMSep 9, 2014 at 4:54 PM

Cheryl West's play "Jar the Floor" opened Friday at the Sycamore Rouge in Petersburg. The play deals with life through four generations of African-American women who have gathered together to celebrate the matriarch's 90th birthday.Director Shanea Taylo

Cheryl West's play "Jar the Floor" opened Friday at the Sycamore Rouge in Petersburg. The play deals with life through four generations of African-American women who have gathered together to celebrate the matriarch's 90th birthday.

Director Shanea Taylor said that the play demonstrates that sometimes family isn't all about "Hallmark moments."

The characters include Viola - frequently called Madear in the production - the 90-year-old mother of Lola, grandmother of MayDee and great-grandmother of Vennie.

"She's just at that age where she says anything and just says however she feels," said Kellita Wooten, the actress playing Viola. "She still thinks she has a husband."

But her character's husband has been dead for nearly a year.

Taylor said that it's interesting that the oldest character in the production is portrayed by one of the youngest actresses.

Winter Bailey stars as the youngest generation represented in the play - Vennie.

"She's rebellious, and the one who really left the family. She's a bit of a black sheep," Bailey said. "She also is spoiled."

Bailey can relate to the character Vennie because she is her mother's youngest child.

"This is one of the strongest roles I've tackled. It takes a lot of concentration," Bailey added.

While the role has taken a lot of work on the part of the actresses and those behind the scenes, they agree it's almost become what is seen on the stage.

"We're just doing what comes naturally," Wooten said. "We're really a family up there."

Wooten added that the environment at Sycamore Rouge has been one of the best to work in.

Getting there, though, was tough.

"The auditions were cutthroat," Bailey said. "I feel lucky to have gotten this part because there we

While the play is essentially about four generations of African-American women in one family, there is one outsider - Raisa - a white, Jewish friend of Vennie.

"Their relationship is ambiguous," said Elise Boyd, who portrays the character. Boyd is the president of the Sycamore Rouge's board. "All the family members really wonder what's going on. She really serves as a witness to the family and they tell their stories through her."

Boyd's character is a breast cancer survivor who has undergone a single mastectomy, but refuses to conform to 'norms' by wearing a prosthetic. She also has a 5-year-old child and a husband that she's separated from.

To prepare for the role, Boyd talked with numerous breast cancer survivors

Though it's not Boyd's first time on stage at Sycamore Rouge, she's typically engaged in a more behind the scenes role.

"I've done both sides of it, though."

Diana Carver says that her role - Lola - is the one who brings the fun to the entire production.

But Carver said that's a challenge - because she's nothing like the character.

"I love this character," Carver said. "She's the opposite of me."

Carver, who lives in Richmond, said that when she heard that Sycamore Rouge was going to put on the production, she knew she wanted to audition.

"I wanted to see or be in this play," said Carver, who has also had roles in another West play, "Before it Hits Home," and has been on stage at Sycamore Rouge several times, most recently in "Steal Away."

Carver has also seen reality reflected in the play as one of the conversations is similar to what's going on in her own life.

Taylor said that some of the conversations can also have multiple meanings:

One of the characters brings Viola a wheelchair as a birthday present.

"It's a nice gift, but the other family members say giving it to her would cripple her before her time," Taylor said. Similarly, by limiting decisions for the youngest member of the family, her life may be crippled.

Carver couldn't wait for the premiere.

"This is the most lines I've had to learn," Carver said, but added that the entire process has been fun.

Taylor can also draw a real-life connection to the play in her relationships with her mother and grandmother. Taylor's mother, Barbara G. Taylor of Taylormade Dolls, is the featured artist in Sycamore Rouge's gallery. Her grandmother, Addie Black, has also revealed an artistic side.

"Everybody does this in their own way," Taylor said. She added that Black has recently started painting after moving to the area from Baltimore.

All three generations will be present today at Sycamore Rouge.

- F.M. Wiggins may be reached at 732-3456, ext. 3254 or fwiggins@progress-index.com."Jar the Floor," by Cheryl West, continues through March 13 at Sycamore Rouge, 21 W. Old St.

Performances begin at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 4 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $18 to $22. Group tickets are $15 for 10 or more.

For reservations, call 957-5707.

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